‘Paul’s’ starry preem

Toon bows at London's Empire

The world preem of Universal Picture’s “Paul” at London’s Empire had a notable absentee on Monday – the Area 51 fugitive himself.

Paul’s absence was probably due to insufficient CGI advances, rather than intergalactic travel disruption or flight costs, but the rest of the stellar talent were out in force on the eerie smoke-shrouded carpet in Leicester Square.

Greg Mottola divulged his one big helming hiccup: “First moment of calling action for Steven Spielberg, and I somehow missed the signal that the cameras were ready. I’m waiting, and everybody’s waiting for me to say something… finally Steven Spielberg just said: ‘Can I start?'”

The question of the day was to name your favorite movie alien. Jason Bateman bowed to Alien, Sigourney Weaver worshipped the Pod People, Nick Frost loved E.T., whilst Kristen Wiig was left to ponder, “Is Chewbacca an alien?”

However, it was Simon Pegg who gave the question the most thought: “I think in ‘Starship Troopers,’ in the scene when they’re attacking the base, about five rows back, on the left…that guy. He’s giving it more than the others, you can tell. He’s got something. I never saw him again, weirdly.”

After the screening, the cast retired for a private filmmakers’ drink at the Hawksmoor.